Photos by Shannon Lutkins Photography
Victoria Conoly is construction manager with Meritage Homes.
Q: Tell us about yourself and the impact you are making.
A: In my professional role, I collaborate closely with trades and vendors to build high-quality homes along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. My work supports local economic growth while helping make homeownership on the Coast a reality for families from both near and far.
Giving back to the community also is important to me. I volunteer with local high school STEM programs, introducing students to tools such as Gantt chart scheduling, blueprint planning and project review. I enjoy opening conversations about how these tools apply not only to construction, but to fields like software development, marketing, resource management and education.
Whether I’m training new talent or speaking with students who are exploring future career paths, my goal is to inspire excitement about the construction industry and help young people see the meaningful impact they can have on both their own futures and the communities they serve.
Some of my proudest moments have come through my career here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Being part of the St. Jude Dream Home build for two consecutive years was an incredible honor made possible through my experience in the industry. I also had the privilege of speaking at a local St. Jude event and traveling to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to experience its mission firsthand.
This year, I am honored to lead Meritage Homes’ annual Operation Homefront build, which will provide a mortgage-free home to a local veteran family in need. I am deeply humbled that my community was selected for this build and grateful for the trust Meritage has placed in me to oversee a project of such meaningful impact.
Q: What you are passionate about and why?
A: I was drawn to building from a very young age. I was fortunate to grow up with early exposure to different trades and building technologies, which laid the foundation for where I am today. As an adult, I’ve been able to build on that knowledge and turn it into a meaningful career.
What I love most is knowing that I’m not just building houses; I’m helping create homes. It’s a privilege to contribute my energy, experience and skills to the communities I work in and to the families whose lives are shaped by them.
Q: What special achievements or awards are you proud of?
A: While serving as a project manager in New Orleans, my team and I were recognized by the Louisiana Landmark Society for our work in historic preservation:
- 2019 Award for Excellence for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Renovation, a project that transformed five attached homes into a unified office building and art gallery.
- 2020 Award for Excellence for the restoration of 2228 Gravier, a former 22,500-square-foot school built in the 1800s and reimagined as modern condominiums.
Q: What quote or mantra do you live by that has helped you become successful?
A: While I was a college student at the University of Southern Mississippi, I had the opportunity to meet Charles “Chuck” C. Scianna Jr., founder of Sim-Tex and a fellow Mississippi native. During a discussion, he was asked, “What’s your secret to business?” His answer was simple: “Surround yourself with people smarter than you.” He joked that he always wanted to be the dumbest person in the room.
That advice has stayed with me throughout my career. Learning from talented peers and mentors — and never being afraid to ask questions — is how real growth happens. Always keep learning.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: In fourth grade, I asked for an office set for my birthday — and I was thrilled to receive a stapler, sticky notes and paper clips.